Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday advocated five
principles for guiding the future development of China-Japan
relations.
China's aim is to push forward China-Japan relations to a
historic stage and realize the goal of "peaceful coexistence,
friendship for generations, mutually-beneficial cooperation and
common development," Wen said in his speech delivered in the
Japanese parliament.
In order to achieve the goal, the Chinese premier said that the
following principles should be practiced.
-- To enhance mutual trust and honor commitments.
The three political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint
Statement are the bedrock for China-Japan relations. Under whatever
circumstances, as long as both sides adhere to the principles
prescribed in the documents, bilateral ties will be able to develop
smoothly.
China hopes that Japan recognizes the high sensitivity of the
Taiwan issue, honors its commitment and handles it discreetly.
-- To consider the overall interests of both countries and in
the meantime seek common ground and shelve differences.
It should be admitted that China and Japan differ in opinion
onsome concrete interests and issues. Their common interests,
however, outweigh the divergence of views. As long as the two
countries, from the long-term, strategic perspective, conduct
dialogue and consultations with confidence and sincerity, the
problems will be resolved in time.
-- To pursue common development on the basis of equality and
mutual benefit.
China and Japan, as two highly complementary economies, have
great potential and promise broad prospects for cooperation, and
the two countries are increasingly dependent on each other in
economy.
The economic development of China and Japan is by no means a
threat but an opportunity for the two countries.
-- To strengthen exchanges with an eye on the future.
Economic cooperation and cultural exchanges serve as two
important links among countries. Leaders of both countries have
agreed to enhance personnel and cultural exchanges. The Chinese
side is willing to work with Japan to formulate and implement a
large-scale exchange program between young Chinese and
Japanese.
-- To conduct close consultations to cope with challenges.
China and Japan are two major nations in Asia and in the world
at large, and China-Japan relations exert great influence on the
region as well as the world. Thus, the two sides need to strengthen
coordination and cooperation in a concerted effort to safeguard
peace and stability in Northeast Asia, to promote a regional
cooperative process and invigorate Asia.
China's development will contribute to the development of
neighboring countries as well as across the world, he said, adding
that China has always carried on a fine tradition of advocating
virtues, sincerity and trust, and good-neighborly relations instead
of resorting to force.
In his speech, Wen also called for a future-oriented attitude in
Sino-Japanese relations and proposed putting aside differences to
further bilateral relations.
"Peace benefits both, while rifts hurt both," he said, adding
that in the course of a nation's historical development, both
positive and negative experiences become a nation's valuable
assets.
Wen recalled the long history of friendship and exchanges
between the two neighbors, from the early exchanges of agricultural
techniques between their ancestors to late Chinese Premier Zhou
Enlai's student days in Japan, which has lasted for more than 2,000
years, only to be disrupted by a 50-plus-year painful, unfortunate
history.
Japan's aggression caused great sufferings and tremendous human
and economic losses to the Chinese people, Wen said. "The deep
scars left in the hearts of the Chinese people are beyond
description."
When dealing with Sino-Japanese relations, the Chinese
government and its people have always advocated using history as a
mirror and looking toward the future, said Wen.
To reflect on history is not to dwell on hard feelings but to
remember and learn from the past in order to open a better future,
he said, urging Japan to turn its apologies and commitments into
concrete actions.
Since the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties, the Japanese
government and Japanese leaders have on many occasions openly
acknowledged Japan's invasions and expressed remorse and apologies
to countries which became victim of the invasions.
Ensuring the future of Sino-Japanese friendship for generations
to come conforms not only to the historical trend and the wishes of
the two peoples, but also with the aspirations of Asia and the
world as a whole, he said.
Wen arrived in Tokyo Wednesday for a three-day official visit to
Japan.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2007)
